8 Keys to Raising the Quirky Child: How to Help a Kid Who Doesn't (Quite) Fit in

by Mark Bowers

Overview

Tips and strategies for parents of kids who are “different” than all the rest.
A quirky child experiences difficulty fitting in and connecting with others usually due to an interpersonal style or behavior that stands out from the other kids. Maybe they are obsessed with a topic of interest or spend excessive hours a day reading, playing video games, or playing with just one toy. These kids are not so far afield as to fall on the autism spectrum, but they are unique, and their behaviors are not addressed in typical parenting books.
This book defines quirky markers and offers strategies for parents to understand their children’s brains and behaviors; to know what is developmentally appropriate, and what isn’t; to understand how to reach their kids; and to help facilitate their social functioning in the world.
It will calm the hearts and minds of parents who worry that their child doesn’t fit in and offer hope to parents who need strategies to support their quirky child’s overall development.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780393709209
Publisher:	W. W. Norton Company
Publication date:	07/27/2015
Series:	8 Keys to Mental Health
Pages:	320
Sales rank:	448,000
Product dimensions:	6.10(w) x 9.00(h) x 1.00(d)

About the Author

Mark Bowers, PhD, is a pediatric psychologist who specializes in neurodevelopmental diagnoses (i.e., autism spectrum, ADHD, traumatic brain injury, and learning difficulties) and helping quirky kids develop social skills. He is the Clinical Director and a pediatric psychologist at Brighton Center for Pediatric Neurodevelopment in Brighton, Michigan.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgments vii

Foreword Babette Rothschild ix

Introduction 1

Key 1 Identify Your Child's Quirks: Part I 21

Key 2 Identify Your Child's Quirks: Part II 47

Key 3 Support Brain Functioning 78

Key 4 Optimize Social Skills 102

Key 5 Respond Effectively 147

Key 6 Track Your Child's Development 172

Key 7 Understand Diagnostic Criteria and Treatment 211

Key 8 Manage Challenges at Home 243

Conclusion 287

Bibliography 291

Index 295

Editorial Reviews

★ 07/06/2015
Pediatric psychologist Bowers’s guide to understanding the “quirky child”—one with a high IQ and without a pathological diagnosis, but with significant socially off-putting behaviors and difficulties with self-regulation, interpersonal interactions, and executive functioning—is deeply insightful and refreshingly practical. The book, an entry in Norton’s 8 Keys to Mental Health series, combines an appreciation of the differences of kids outside the norm with the message that they must be guided into learning essential social skills. Bowers places quirky behavior on a continuum between normative and pathological, and discusses models of development that can help parents figure out when behavior is, and is not, age-appropriate. While focusing on interventions for children from ages three to 10, Bowers does touch on issues that might surface for parents in later years, such as modulating “depth-seeking” (oriented toward highly specific interests) and isolating behavior and helping students approach homework as a process and not just the mastery of academic skills. Frustrated parents who believe their child is well-described by the “quirky” profile will find Bowen’s attitude supportive, his psychological explanations of their child’s motivations satisfying, and his specific strategies for helping these kids accept breadth of experience and build social competency usable and encouraging. (Aug.)

Publishers Weekly

This book offers tips for therapists who work with children and is also useful for parents of ‘quirky’ children. I recommend it.

The Milton H. Erickson Foundation Newsletter

8 Keys to Raising the Quirky Child . . . provides tips and strategies for parents of kids who are different, and who thus experience problems fitting in and making friends. The difference may lie in personality, behaviors, interests and hobbies, or how they play: they’re not on the autism spectrum but neither are they part of the norm. . . . [A] lovely survey parents will find unique and filled with practical ideas.”

Midwest Book Review

With his wealth of knowledge and experience from his years as a pediatric psychologist, Bowers offers a confident, parent-friendly approach to appreciating a child’s unique traits — and working with them rather than against them. . . . Each key had a lot to offer both parents and educators. The straightforward, visually organized structure of the book made it easy to follow. And Bowers provides an abundance of resources, as well as convenient take-home points at the end of each key, which may be helpful to the frazzled parent seeking guidance at the end of a long day.”

PsychCentral

There is no black and white dividing line between geeks, nerds, and the quirky, and mild autism or Asperger's. A few autistic traits can provide advantages–too many, a handicap. Albert Einstein, Steve Jobs, and many famous musicians, if they were born today, might well receive an 'autism' label in today's school system. Some kids are just quirky, and8 Keys to Raising the Quirky Childwill help those children succeed.”

Temple Grandin

[B]ecause of the Parenting Press focus on problem-solving books, and because of the staff’s personal experience with quirky kids, we find this one of the most valuable books we’ve read in the last few years. . . . [E]xtremely informative material. . . . Highly recommended!

Parenting Press Newsletter